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ONTARIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO PRESENT 2020 AHL ALL-STAR CLASSIC

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JUNE 26, 2019, ONTARIO, CA – The American Hockey League and the Ontario Reign, proud AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, announced today a partnership with Ontario International Airport (ONT) to serve as the presenting sponsor for the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Ontario International Airport.

The partnership, which will encompass both the Reign and the Kings, and the official event logo for the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Ontario International Airport were unveiled in a ceremony earlier today. The event logo features creative influences from the Los Angeles Kings, Ontario Reign and American Hockey League brands, and features the Ontario International Airport logo incorporated into the design.

“Ontario Airport is proud to partner with the Reign and the American Hockey League in bringing this showcase event to the City of Ontario,” said Mark Thorpe, Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority. “Hockey has an extremely strong following throughout the Inland Empire and Southern California, and we look forward to hosting some of the best young players in the world at the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic.”

The AHL’s All-Stars will head West for the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Ontario International Airport, which will be held for the first time in California. The event will showcase the Inland Empire on an international scale, highlighting the growth of the game of hockey in Southern California.

“We are excited to have Ontario International Airport as the presenting corporate partner as we bring our All-Star events to the west coast for the first time,” said David Andrews, AHL President and Chief Executive Officer. “The Inland Empire has embraced AHL hockey, and we’re looking forward to celebrating our league’s best and brightest young stars at the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Ontario International Airport in January.”

Pictured (l to r) Ontario Reign Mascot Kingston, LA KIngs President Luc Robitaille, Ontario Airport CEO Mark Thorpe, City of Ontario Councilman Jim Bowman Ontario Reign President Darren Abbott and San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman

The 2020 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Ontario International Airport, will include the AHL All-Star Skills Competition on Sunday, January 26, followed by the AHL Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony on Monday, January 27 and the AHL All-Star Challenge that evening.

“The Ontario Reign are excited to partner with Ontario International Airport, a beacon of economic growth and a great source pride in the Inland Empire,” said Ontario Reign President Darren Abbott. “Our partnership with Ontario International Airport will encompass both the Reign and the Kings and will be highlighted by our marquee event, the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic. We’re excited to join forces and look forward to a successful and rewarding partnership.”

Tickets for the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Ontario International Airport are on-sale now. Tickets, which include admission to both the AHL All-Star Skills Competition and the AHL All-Star Challenge, are available by visiting ontarioreign.com/allstar.

Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the fastest growing airport in the United States, according to Global Traveler, a leading publication for frequent fliers. Located in the Inland Empire, ONT is approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the center of Southern California. It is a full-service airport with nonstop commercial jet service to 19 major airports in the U.S., Mexico and Taiwan, and connecting service to many domestic and international destinations. There is an average of 67 daily departures offered by nine air carriers. More information is available at flyOntario.com.

The Ontario Reign will begin the 2019-20 season, their fifth as members of the American Hockey League, in October 2019. For more information on the upcoming season, visit ontarioreign.com, and to secure your seats with a Reign ticket plan, call 909.941.7825.

The Inland Empire Business Journal (IEBJ) is the official business news publication of Southern California’s Inland Empire region - covering San Bernardino & Riverside Counties.

Sports Business

Fontana’s Raymond Muratalla Defends IBF World Title in Las Vegas

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Sponsored by Lluvia, the undefeated champion earns unanimous decision victory with guidance from Robert Garcia

Premium alkaline water brand Lluvia proudly stood behind Raymond Muratalla this past weekend as the Fontana, California native successfully defended his IBF World Lightweight Championship with a unanimous decision victory over Andy Cruz in Las Vegas.

Muratalla delivered a composed and technically sound performance, controlling the pace of the fight and earning a majority decision on the judges’ scorecards. The win further solidifies his position among boxing’s elite lightweights and marks another defining moment in his championship run.

Lluvia, a premium 9+ pH alkaline water brand inspired by rain and engineered for modern hydration, served as an official sponsor of Muratalla for the bout. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to preparation, performance, and intentional excellence—qualities Muratalla continues to display inside the ring.

Guiding Muratalla’s success is renowned trainer Robert Garcia, recently named Trainer of the Year by Ring Magazine. Garcia’s championship pedigree and strategic leadership were evident throughout the fight, reinforcing the strength of a team built for sustained success at the highest level of the sport.

Beyond the victory itself, Muratalla’s rise continues to resonate with his hometown of Fontana, where he has become a source of pride and inspiration for aspiring athletes. His disciplined approach, humility, and dedication to craft have helped establish him not only as a world champion, but as a respected representative of his community.

Lluvia’s sponsorship underscores the brand’s growing presence in elite athletics and performance-driven environments. Packaged in plastic-free aluminum cans and protected by advanced can technology, Lluvia is designed to help preserve water quality, taste, and pH stability—delivering clean, elevated hydration for athletes and active lifestyles.

As Muratalla continues to build his legacy as IBF World Lightweight Champion, Lluvia looks forward to supporting the journey ahead—both in and out of the ring.

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Sports Business

City of Ontario Announces “Ontario Sports Empire” as Name for Largest Multi-Use Sports Complex on West Coast

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The City of Ontario, The Sports Facilities Companies and Greater Ontario CVB scheduled to open 190-acre facility in fall 2026

The City of Ontario, The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC), and the Greater Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) announced the official name of their groundbreaking multi-use sports complex: The Ontario Sports Empire. Set to open in fall 2026, the complex is positioned to become the premier venue for major regional and national tournaments, elevating Ontario as a key sports destination in the United States.

With 190 acres of top-tier athletic facilities, including 20 long fields, 14 youth diamond fields, eight full-size diamonds, four football/rugby fields and two championship baseball fields, the Ontario Sports Empire will be the largest sports complex of its kind west of the Rocky Mountains.

“The Ontario Sports Empire will bring new jobs, boost tourism, and create lasting opportunities for our local businesses,” said Paul Leon, Mayor of Ontario. “This project represents a key part of Ontario’s future as a regional hub for commerce, recreation, and culture.”

“This complex is not just another sports facility; it’s a national destination for elite competitions and youth development. It will also be home for the community to host events and celebrations,” said SFC Partner and National Director of Business Development Jim Arnold. “We’re excited to work alongside city leaders and industry experts to create a venue that will elevate Ontario’s profile on the sports tourism map and serve the community for years to come.”

Located just 10 minutes from Ontario International Airport, the Ontario Sports Empire is designed to draw teams from across the country. The city already boasts 6,000 hotel rooms and numerous entertainment options, making it an ideal location for visiting teams, athletes, and fans.

“This venue will position Ontario as a must-visit city for major sporting events. It’s an exciting development that will put Ontario on the national stage, driving significant growth in both sports tourism and local economic impact,” said Michael Krouse, President and CEO of GOCAL (Greater Ontario California) and the Greater Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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Sports Business

$1.7 million project with lead partner San Manuel Band of Mission Indians provides quality, safe space for over 9,800 San Bernardino youth

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Home Run for Youth: Dodgers Foundation and Partners Unveil New Dreamfields at Blair Park

The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF), with lead partner San Manuel Mission Band of Indians and in collaboration with the City of San Bernardino, will proudly unveil Dodgers Dreamfields 61, 62 and 63 at Blair Park on Saturday, May 18. These fields bring LADF closer to completing its goal of 75 fields by 2033 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Dodgers’ move to Los Angeles in 1958.

The ceremony, which culminates the construction of LADF’s latest project, will include a brief program featuring remarks from LADF CEO Nichol Whiteman, City of San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran, and additional partners and sponsors. Special guests include Los Angeles Dodgers Third-base Coach Dino Ebel. Following the unveiling, local San Bernardino youth baseball and softball players will participate in a skills clinic on the new fields.

This $1.7 million transformative investment will support youth ages 5-18 with three refurbished fields. Crucial upgrades at Blair Park include new playing surfaces and grass, enclosed fields, upgraded dugouts, upgraded irrigation systems, new pitchers’ mounds, bullpens and LED scoreboards resembling Dodger Stadium.

“The unveiling of three new Dodgers Dreamfields is a celebration of the power of community, the joy of play, and the boundless potential of our youth,” said Nichol Whiteman, CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. “These fields represent dreams taking flight and where transformative play ensures every child has a place to dream, grow and shine.”

LADF’s newest refurbishments were made possible by a nearly $1.3 million grant from lead partner San Manuel Mission Band of Indians, and it is the largest gift for a Dodgers Dreamfield project to date. Additional project sponsors include Security Benefit, LA84 Foundation and the Helen and Will Webster Foundation. The fields constructed, as a result of these strategic partnerships, align with LADF’s new Strategic Plan: Lasting Impact for Los Angeles, which builds upon its successes by amplifying best practices, scaling solutions to reach more Angelenos, growing its capacity, and refining its work to create a lasting impact for Los Angeles.

“Our partnership with the youth of the Inland Empire region continues to grow just like the boundless energy, creativity, and pursuits of our bright young people,” said Lynn Valbuena, Chairwoman of San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. “Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels is only the most recent example of the potential of San Bernardino youth. We are confident that future Major League Baseball stars will crowd the Dreamfields at Blair Park very soon!” 

According to Parks for California, 65% of San Bernardino residents live in areas with less than three acres of park space per 1,000 people, and 39% live further than half a mile from a park, where the national average is 55%. Upon completion of the fields, over 9,800 youth under 18 living in San Bernardino will have access to a safe place to play and baseball and softball programming at Blair Park. The City of San Bernardino hopes the project will help curtail these statistics and help maintain the city’s vibrant and unique culture.

LADF builds and refurbishes baseball and softball fields in underserved communities through the Dodgers Dreamfields program, providing families with safe havens and points of pride in their neighborhoods. Dodgers Dreamfields are game-changers, revitalizing green spaces to help re-energize the community’s involvement in baseball and softball while boosting the safety of local parks and providing a place where neighbors can gather, exercise and play. Since 2003, LADF has invested over $20 million to refurbish 63 Dodgers Dreamfields and provide more than 400,000 kids access to playable baseball and softball fields. 

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